Multiple record phonograph



Sept. 10, 1935. R. w. PIT-MAN 2,013,927

' MULTIPLE RECORD PHONOGRAPH I Filed Feb. 19, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Allyn INVENTOR Sept. 10, 1935. R, w. PlTMAN MULTIPLE RECORD PHONOGRAPH Filed Feb. 19, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q INVENTOR jiichamWfitman Sept. 10, 1935. R. w. PITMAN MULTIPLE RECORD PHONOGRAPH Filed Feb. 19, 1931 66heets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR Fzc/mrd 14 fii'man BY ATTORN EY Sept. 10, 1935. R w rr MAN, I 2,013,927

MULIIPLE RECORD PHONOGRAPH Filed Feb. 19, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 m INVENTOR Pic/13rd Wfi'zman BY ATT NEY Sept. 10, 1935. Y R. w. PITMAN ,0

MULTIPLE RECORD PHONOGRAPH Filed Feb. 19, 1931 e Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Rat/lard WH'ir/mn Sept. 10, 1935. Rf PITMAN 2,013,927

MULTIPLE RECORD PHONOGRAPH I Filed Feb. 19, 1951' '6 Sheets-Sheet 6 aim A; I Q

INVENTQR chard WPdman Patented Sept. .10, 1935 PATENT OFFICE 2,013,927 MULTIPLE, Recon!) PHONOGRAPH Richard w. Pitman, Westfield, N. Y., assignor to Automatic Phonograph Corporation, Newark, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application February 19, 1931, Serial No. 517,050

.4 Claims.

This invention relates to phonographs and par- 6 chine of this type in which both sides of the record may 'be played. a

A further object is to provide a machine of this type which will be simple in construction, easily operated and in which means are provided for playing the records in series with selective control mechanism for playing any single record continuously. In its general aspects the machine is similar to and is an improvement on the patent of Wendell E. Miller and William J. Sheubrooks; No. 1,920,936, granted August 1st, 1933, for Phonographs. I

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

which are made a part hereof and on which simllar reference characters indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine, Figure 2, a plan view, Figure 3, a side elevation showing the parts in record playing position,

Figure 4, a side elevation with parts broken away showing the position of the parts just after a new record has been moved to position it in 7 playing position.

Figure 5,'an end elevation looking-from the right in-Figure 1,

Figure 6, a section on line 66 of Figure 4,

Figure 7, .a detail showing one of the clutch operating cams,

Figure 8, a detail showing the device for pushing off a record from the stack of records, and

Figure 9, a detail view of the arm I08.

In the drawings numeral I0 indicates the frame of the machine having a number of posts II in which a stack of records I2 is mounted. A record changing frame I3 is provided with bearings or pivots I4 which rest in saddles I5 in the upper portion of the frame I6. One end of the frame I3 is provided with pins I6 which rest in suitable bearings H at the end of the frame I0.

From the construction defined it should be ap'parent that the frame I3 may pivot on either of the bearings I4 or I6. When pivoting on the bearings I6 the frame occupies the position shown in Figure 4 and when pivoting on the bearing I4 the frame is in the dotted line position shown in Figure 3.

The frame I3 is provided with a number of rollers I8 upon which the record I9 rides as it passes from the playing positionvto a table 26 on that portion of the frame which ,is beneath 30 loosely mounted on shafts 3| and 32.

the: stack .of records I2. Means for tilting the frame I3 will now be described. This consists of a'motor 2I having a shaft 22 connected by means of a universal joint 23 to a shaft 24. The shaft 24 has on its end a worm 25 which meshes 5 with a worm wheel 26, the whole being mounted on a. shaft 21. On the lower end ofthe shaft 21 is a worm 28 which meshes with a worm wheel 29 which latter'worm wheel is mounted on a clutch The clutch 30 is free to rotate on the shafts 3| and 32 except when keyed thereto by clutch elements 33 and 34 which are axially slidable upon the shafts3I and 32 but'keyed thereto. Compression v springs 35 and 36 tend to move their respective l5 clutches into engagement with the clutch 30.

Clutches 33 and 34 are heldout of engagement with the clutch 30 by means of pins 3'I and 38. The small ends of these pins engage cams 39 and 40 respectively. When the pins 3'I and 38 are withdrawn, the respective clutches which are heldby them-are urged into engagement with the clutch 30 to key this clutch to the shaft to cause the shaft to rotate since the clutch 30 is continuously driven by the motor. The-pins 3'I and 38 are operated by solenoids 4| and 42, these solenoids being energized at the completion of the playing of a record as will be later described; On the other end of the shaft 3| is an arm 43 to which is attached a connecting rod 44, the connecting rod being attached atits other end to a rod 45 which rod is connected at its ends to lower toggle links 46. Toggle links 46 are pivoted at 41 to upper toggle links v48 which latter links are pivoted at 49 to the end of the transfer frame I3. From the description given it will be apparent that one rotation of the shaft 3I from the position shown in Figure 1 through the several positions shown in Figures 3 and 4 return the frame back to the position shown in Figure l in which posi- 4'0 tion'the record is played. The motor shaft 22 is also provided with a worm 50 meshing with a worm wheel 5I on-a shaft 52. On the upper end of this shaft is'mounted the record supporting and record rotating table 53, the shaft having a pointed end 54 for centering the record in a manner well-known. The shaft 32 has on its outer end an eccentric pin 55 to which is attached a connecting rod 56, this rod being connected at its other end to a depending arm 51 which operates mechanism for swinging the tone arm 58 to restore it to record playing position after the completion of a record. The arm 51 is rigidly attached to a bent arm II2 which extends under the tone arm. When the link 56 is pulled to the left thearm I I2 engages the under side of the tone arm and moves the tone arm back as shown in Figure 4. A slot I89 in the link 56 permits the arm I I2 to be moved by the tilting table independently of the operation of the link 56. This latter movement is brought about by a pin III- engaging the end of the arm I I2 as shownin Figure 4. The details of the mechanism for restoring the tone arm to playing position are more fully shown and described in the copending application referred to and since these form no part of the present invention they will not be further described.

At 59 is shown a switch which is closed by the tone arm upon the completion of the playing of. a record. When this switch is closed a circuit is closed as follows: Beginning with the panel 68 into which current is brought through line 6| a wire 62 leads to a switch 63 to which a wire 64 is connected, this wire being connected at 65 to one contact of the switch 59. From 59 a wire 66 leads to and is connected to a contact 61 ona switch 68. A wire 69 connected to one element of switch 68 leads to a switch 18. The switch 18 has an arm operable to connect the wire 69 with either wire H or wire 12 depending on whether it is desired to continue playing a single record or to change records in series. Wire 12 is connected to a wire 13 which latteris connected to one terminal 'of the solenoid M. A wire 14 connects the other terminal of the solenoid to a contact on switch 15. The other element of this switch is connected by means of a wire 16 to a terminal 11 on the motor 2I, the opposite terminal of the motor being connected by a wire 18 to the wire 62. A wire 19 is connected also to the source of current 60 and to a switch 88, the other contact of the switch being connected by means of a wire 8| to the wire 16. A wire v82 connects the wire 14 with the wire 19. A push button switch 84 is provided for changing records independent of the switch 59 so that it is not necessary to await the completion of a record before setting in motion the record changing mechanism. Pin 31 has its outer end engaging one element of the switch 15 so that when the coil 4I is energized to pull the pin back the, switch 15 is closed. Switch 68 is normally closed. The outer end of the pin 38 is in engagement with one element of the switch 68 so that when this pin is retracted as the coil 42 is energized the switch 68 is opened to break the circuit between wires 69 and 66.

The toggles 46 are rigidly secured at their lower ends to a shaft 85. Upon one end of this shaft is rigidly secured a cam 86 shown in detail in Figure 8. The edge .81 of this cam engages a roller 88 on-a pin extending laterally from a post i 89. "A torsion spring 98 surrounds ,the post 89 and tends to hold the roller. 88 in engagement with the cam surface 81. The post 89 is journaled in a bar 9I. The. upper end of the post 89 is likewise rotatably journaled and has secured thereto an arm 92 upon the outer end of. which is a shoe 93 adapted to engage the edge of the topmost record on the stack of records. A slotted arm I88 prevents more than one record from being pushed off the stack. i In operation when arecord has been positioned beneath the stack of records and the tilting frame starts back to its horizontal position the cam 86 operated by shaft 85 rises and the cam surface 81- rotates the post 89 to cause the shoe 93 to slide the topmost record off the stack of records records are supported in an inclined position. 5

It should be apparent also that the toggles are almost in their straight position when the record is placed beneath the stack of records. When in this position-the maximum load can be lifted with little load on the motor. The hooks 94 are 10 secured upon a bar 96 to which bar is attached an arm 91. A link 98 is attached at one end to the arm 91 and is pivoted at 99 at its other end to the upper end of a rock lever I88. A plate IN is secured to the frame II beneath the bar 15 96 and this plate has a laterally extending pin I82, the purpose of which is to force the record into an inclined position ready to be picked up by the transfer plate. In the copending application referred to the record moved by gravity 20 from the hooks 94 whereas in the present application it is positively tilted into the proper position in which it may be picked up by the transfer frame. The lever I88 is pivoted at its lower end to the frame I8. A pin I83 in the tilting 25 frame I3 engages within a cam slot I84 in the member I88 so that vertical tilting of the frame I3 will swing the lever I88 through the positions shown in full and dotted lines in Figure 3. .A plate ms is pivoted at I4 to the tilting frame 30 and has hooks on its free end to receive the record as described in the copending application. The hooks on this plate engage the edge of the record and assist in inverting it as the tilting table approaches the position shown in Figure 4.

A governor I86 is'provid'ed for controlling the speed of the motorll.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

To start the motor 2I the switch 88 is closed. This closes a circuit from source ofcurrent 68 40 through wires 19, switch 88, wire 8|, wire 16, motor 2I and wire 18 back to 68. When playing a record the parts are in the position in which they are shown in Figure 1. Upon the completion of a record the tone arm 58 travels in a '82and line 19 to the source of current 68. This energizes solenoid 4| and retracts the pin 31.

As soon as this pin is withdrawn clutch 33 is moved to engage clutch 38 so that the former is driven by the latter and the shaft is rotated breaking'the toggle 46, 4a to move 'the tilting table to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3.- As soonas moved to this position the record I9 slides down to the lower end of the transfer table. A plate II8 prevents the record from sliding off the frame. The shaft 3I con- 5 tinuihg' to operate straightens out the toggle to move the table to the position shown in Figure 4.

This positions the played record beneath the stack of records and leavesthe stack in the position shown inFigure 4. It should be noted that at the beginning of the record changing movement a record was resting in the hooks 94. As the table moved up to the position shown in Figure 4 this record was swung down by the hooks 94 to the position in which these hooks are shown in dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4 and as the table moved to the position shown in Figure 4the record was inverted and positioned on the table 5 at which it rolled down to the position which it occupies in Figure 4, being stopped in playing position by stops I61. The hooks on the plate I05 engage the lower edge of the record and assist in lifting the record out of the hooks 9- t 1'0 and turn the record over to position it on the frame I3. The structure defined is more fully disclosed in the copending application referred to above. As the transfer table begins to return to its playing position the cam 86 operates to rotate the shaft 89 to push another record from the stack'of records into the hooks 94. As soon as pin 31 is withdrawn from the cam 39 it remains with its inner end engaging the periphery of the cam until the shaft 3| has almost completed its revolution. As soon asthe inner end of the pin 31 reaches the cam edge it drops oil and continued rotation of the shaft 3.] causes the pin 31 to disengage clutch 33 from clutch 30 so that the record changing mechanism will be stopped after having completed one cycle. It is desirable that the parts complete the cycle even though the starting switch 86 should be opened for any reason. If this starting switch is open during the operation of changing a rec- 0rd circuit will be closed through switch 15 sincethis switch isclosed so long as the pin 31 is retracted and this pin is retracted so long as its inner end is in engagement with the periphery .of the cam 39. If the operator desires to cut out 35 the record'changing mechanism so as to repeat the records which are played he may do this by operating the switch 10 so as to close circuit from the line H to the line 69. When in this position at the completion of the playing of a 0 record switch 59 is closed, circuit is then closed through the following course: Beginning with line 62 it passes through switch 63, line 64, switch 59, line 66, contact 61, switch 68, line 69, switch 10, line 1| to terminal of e611 4: through line I08 back to 60. This energizes the coil 42 and retracts the pin 38 so that clutch 34 is moved into engagement with clutch 30. This causes rotation of shaft 32 andthrough the link 56 and arm 51 the tone'arm is swung to operative position with- 50 out operation of the tilting frame 13. The connecting rod or link 56 isslotted as shown at I09 records since each machine will have the frame I l" adapted fora single size of records, usually 10 65 inch records. This frame will not accommodate a 12 inch record. Before playing a 12 inch record therefore the switch 69 is opened so as to cut out all circuit with the record changing mechanism. The switch 63 moreover is so placed on the frame of the machine that it must be opened before a 12 inch record can be placed on the record playing 5 table.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in my device without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore I do not limit myself to what is shown in 10 the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A phonograph for playing a plurality of records in series, comprising a frame, a record playing table mounted in the frame, a record changing frame, a motorfor operating the playing table and the record changing frame, a clutch for 20 connecting and disconnecting said motor with said record changing frame, a solenoid for operating said clutch, a switch operated by the tone arm of the machine for energizing said solenoid, a mamally operable starting and stopping switch, and 25 means operated by the said solenoid for continuing operation of said record changing means for a predetermined time irrespective of the position of the said manually operable switch, substantially as set forth.

2. A phonograph for playing a plurality of records in series comprising a frame, a record playing, table mounted in the frame, a record changing frame, a motor for operating the record changing frame and the record playing table, a 35 clutch connecting the said motor to the operating mechanism for the record chdnging frame, electrical means for operating said clutch, a manually operable starting and stopping switch for operating the said motor, and an auxiliary switch, said auxiliary switch being closed during operation of the record changing mechanism to complete a cycle of operations to restore the record changing mechanism to a'fixed position irrespective of the position of the starting and stopping switch, substantially as set forth.

3. In a phonograph having means for playing and for inverting records having a tilting table for changing records, means for supporting the stack of records, means for removing the-topmost record from the stack comprising a push arm engageable with an edge of the record, a cam operating said push arm, said cam being operated by the said tilting frame, substantially as set forth;

4. In a phonograph for playing records of dif- 5 ferent sizes, a record playing table, an electric motor for operating said table, a record changing table, electrically operated means for operating said record changing table, a cut-out switch in; circuit with said electrically operated means, such switch being positioned adjacent the-record playing table and being sopositioned asto render the record changing mechanism inoperative when records of largerthan a predetermined diameter are played, substantially asset forth. v

RICHARD WFPITMAN. 

